Five suspects in RAF Fairford bomb plot released on bail, UK probing possible Iran ties

UK Counter Terrorism Policing's announcement came after Iran’s embassy in London denied reports that the plot had links to the Islamic Republic, labeling the accusations as “Iranophobia propaganda."Follow us on GoogleArmed police officers stand guard on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/TOBY SHEPHEARD)SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 18:45All five suspects arrested in connection with a foiled bomb plot targeting the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase on Sunday are set to be released on bail, Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor announced on Monday.Despite the release, Taylor said the men will remain under investigation as law enforcement continues working to establish the circumstances of the plot.Taylor also stated that Counter Terrorism Policing is keeping an open mind to the possibility that the planned attack may have been geopolitically motivated and carried out by individuals knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state. All five of the suspects set to be released were male, UK nationals between the ages of 23 and 25. They were detained on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist attack and offenses under the Explosives Act.The main gate of RAF Fairford is pictured on September 27, 2026 in Fairford, United Kingdom. (credit: David Bown/Getty Images)Iran decried reports of Tehran involvement as 'Iranophobia propaganda'Taylor’s announcement came after Iran’s embassy in London denied reports that the plot had links to the Islamic Republic, labeling the accusations as “Iranophobia propaganda” in a post on X/Twitter.The Telegraph reported on Sunday that British counterterrorism police were probing the possibility that the five suspects arrested for the plot had connections to Tehran due to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) having previously threatened the base.The embassy labeled the report as “unfounded and malicious speculations,” alleging that the reports “serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK.”“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, as necessary, to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media narratives,” the embassy concluded.Iran previously threatened to target UK basesThe IRGC in July threatened to target British airbases, which it claimed were legitimate military targets, after US bombing campaigns against Iran were launched from RAF Fairford.UK Counter Terrorism Policing official Vicki Evans earlier on Monday acknowledged that the incident has triggered widespread speculation that the plot may have been motivated by geopolitical factors, but urged the public to give law enforcement space to fully investigate.“This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the Defence Ministry, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community,” Evans added.Follow us on Google